<p>I just got my AP scores and while I was checking Princeton's AP credit page I saw that I qualified to graduate in 3.5 years (take a semester off sophmore year). My question is, do alot of people do this? Has anyone heard of/had any good/bad experiences with taking a semester off with AP credits? I keep thinking about the university paying for me to travel and research somewhere.. mmm endowment...</p>
<p>I know there's advanced standing where people graduate in 3 years--this option is seldom used. Instead of taking a semester off, I think some students will study abroad for a semester. But I think a lot of students qualify for advanced standing (I'm one of them!) and aren't considering graduating early at all. Why rush through the best undergraduate experience in the country?</p>
<p>I didn't want to go in 3 years but only take off a half of a year (although I do realize I mean, what could be better?). I guess it would be the equivalent of Study Abroad.</p>
<p>I think basically everyone who went to a high school that offered AP/IBs has the ability to graduate early (since you gotta take those courses to get in), but it's extremely rare. you need to know exactly what you want to major in coming in and get right to it.</p>
<p>trust me, coming from someone who just completed his freshman year, you will not want to take a semester off. don't believe me...just wait and see</p>
<p>Instead of taking a semester off, why not study abroad? I mean, you'd get to travel the world (possibly on Pton's dime!). I don't think the school will pay for you to get a job somewhere... maybe a special research program or something, but that's not really taking a semester off, is it?</p>
<p>After all, you'll only go to college once. Why worry about getting some job in the Real World sooner than you absolutely must?</p>